A variety of distinguished and notable names have emerged from the beautiful and historical Italian region of Tuscany, including the notable surname Gilardi. During the Middle Ages, as populations grew and travel between regions became more frequent, the people of Tuscany, who were originally known only by a single name, found it necessary to adopt a second name to identify themselves and their families. This process of adopting fixed hereditary surnames in Italy began in the 10th and 11th centuries, but it was not completed until the modern era. The development of Italian hereditary surnames followed general principles and were characterized by derivatives from one's given name. The patronymic surname, which is derived from the father's given name, was one of the most common name types found in the region of Tuscany. This system of name-making was widely used because it linked well with the existing Feudal System and during the Christian era, many people named their children after saints and biblical figures. The surname Gilardi came from the personal name Gerard, which was itself derived from the Old German Gerhard, which means spear-brave.

Gilardi Early Origins

The surname Gilardi was first found in Tuscany (Italian: Toscana), a region in central Italy, in the northern area of the Garfagnana. Records can be found as early as 970, with the Gherardinghi family who owned the castles of Verrucola, Bibbiano, Bogli, San Romano, and Sommacologna.

Gilardi Spelling Variations

Gilardi Spelling Variations

Italian surnames have a surprising number of forms in comparison with other European surnames because they reflect the regional variations and the many dialects of the Italian language, each of which has its distinctive features. For example, in Northern Italy the most standard Italian surname suffix is "I", whereas in Southern Italy the most typical surname suffix is "O". Sardinian is very different from other forms of Italian and in fact, it is considered to be its own distinct language. Additionally, spelling changes frequently occurred because medieval scribes, church officials, and the bearers of names, spelled names as they sounded rather than according to any specific spelling rules. As a consequence of the major changes in the Italian language and in the local spellings of Italian surnames that occurred over the course of history, there are numerous variations for the surname Gilardi. These spelling variations include Gherardi, Gherardo, Gherardis, Ghirardi, Ghirardo, Gherlardi, Ghelardo, Ghilardi, Gerardi, Gheraldi, Ghiraldi, Ghiroldi, Geraldi, Geraldo, Geroldi, Giraldi, Giraldo, Ciraldo, Giraudo, Giraud, Girod, Giroldi, Gherardelli, Gherardini, Gherardinghi, Gerardini, Gerardello, Gherarducci, Gherardeschi, Della Gherardesca, Ghirardelli, Ghilardini, Ghelardini, Girardini, Girardin, Girardoni, Girardone, Girardengo, Geraldini and many more.

Gilardi Early History

Gilardi Early History

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Gilardi research. More information is included under the topic Early Gilardi History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Gilardi Early Notables (pre 1700)

Gilardi Early Notables (pre 1700)

Prominent among members of the family was Ugolino Della Gherardesca, a Pisan Ghibelline leader during the 13th century. The Gherardesca family of Pisa was one of the most powerful and respected families in the city at this time. Of this family was Pietro Gherardesca, Cardinal of Pisa with the title of...

Another 107 words (8 lines of text) are included under the topic Early Gilardi Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

The Great Migration

The Great Migration

Amongst the settlers in North America with this distinguished name Gilardi were

Gilardi Settlers in United States in the 20th Century

Antoina Gilardi, aged 18, who arrived in America from Modane, Italy, in 1904

Carlo Gilardi, aged 52, who arrived in America from Acena, Italy, in 1907

Edvardo Gilardi, aged 16, who arrived in America from Monteflavio, Rome, in 1909

Eugenio Gilardi, aged 22, who arrived in America from Monteflavio, Rome, in 1909

Enrico Gilardi, aged 26, who arrived in America from Magadino, Switzerland, in 1911

The Gilardi Family Crest was acquired from the Houseofnames.com archives. The Gilardi Family Crest was drawn according to heraldic standards based on published blazons. We generally include the oldest published family crest once associated with each surname.